Government
Sarpreet Oberoi has been to various In-N-Out Burger locations in the Bay Area over the past eight years and found news that the Oakport outlet was closing because of crime “saddening.” He believes it’s a good spot for a fast food company, with plentiful parking, lots of customers, and a vibrant retail corridor. But it’s law and order that matters, he said. Major chain businesses are leaving or reducing operations in Oakland due to crime. However, small business owners are…
Alameda County voters will be asked in March to change recall election rules, which has the campaign to oust District Attorney Pamela Price — as well as those opposed to a recall — calling foul. In July, less than a year into Price’s tenure, a group of residents and business owners launched a recall campaign, citing concerns about her being soft on serious crime. In the months since, that effort has intensified. The group behind the recall — Save Alameda…
Oakland is considering changes to its Police Commission that would impact how the group trains and chooses its members. The City Council’s Public Safety Committee will vote on the legislation Dec. 12 before it can go to the full council for final approval. Introduced by Councilmembers Dan Kalb and Kevin Jenkins, the legislation would expand the eligibility for applicants to join the commission by revising the commission’s conflict of interest rules and further define their roles. Oakland’s new rules would…
California and cities in the Bay Area have led the country against plastic pollution: A series of laws and ordinances have already banned Styrofoam and restricted plastic bags and plastic straws. The next items on the chopping block are single-use plastic foodware — things like cutlery, cups, lids, stirrers, plates, and doggie bags. On Dec. 19, Oakland City Council will vote on the Reusable Foodware and Litter Reduction Ordinance, which would ban these items from local eateries and large events. …
Oakland City Council voted unanimously on Monday to support congressional and worldwide calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and for the release of all hostages. “I reject the fact that Oakland is not united,” said Councimember Carroll Fife before the resolution passed. “We stand together on what counts when it counts.” The resolution, introduced by Fife, evokes the city’s official motto “Love Life” to emphasize the need to protect life and stand united against violence. At the meeting, Fife said…
The Alameda County Reparations Commission held its first meeting this week to address the impacts of slavery and racial discrimination on the county’s Black residents. The meeting on Monday came about eight months after the Board of Supervisors approved a reparations commission to hold listening sessions, conduct research and draft a plan for repairing these impacts. “The fact that you’ve accepted this appointment and stepped forward to serve is admirable. Our hope is that you will be able to accomplish…
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation into law last month that enables speed cameras in Oakland and other cities in an effort to boost traffic safety. The law allows Oakland, San Francisco and San Jose, among others, to use speed cameras to catch dangerous drivers as part of a pilot program until 2032. The cities will place the cameras in different corridors and near schools. The number of cameras in each city depends on its population. Between the middle and end…
Oakland and the Oakland Public Library are inviting residents to reimagine the Main Library. This year’s last Re-imagine the Oakland Main Library workshop is Thursday, during which attendees can create vision boards, fill out a survey and record a video responding to the prompt: “That Would Be Cool If…” The city has allocated $600,000 to contract with the architectural firm Esherick Homsey Dodge & Davis to study the feasibility of an expanded or relocated Main Library. The Feasibility Study Team…
Oakland City Council unanimously approved the installation of 300 automated license plate readers throughout the city on Tuesday. The vote comes nearly two months after Gov. Gavin Newsom approved a $1.2 million loan to the city, following Mayor Sheng Thao’s request for surveillance cameras to combat rising crime. Thao tweeted her support for the vote on Wednesday, saying the cameras will help police “track criminal vehicles across the city based on their unique features such as make, model, and color.”…